23 models have the diff actuator guard fitted from factory now and tailgate assist struts.

Thanks so very much for this review, I'm looking at a 2023 Dmax and your review has solidified my decision!

Well presented and a sensible love & hate list. Looks like you've started to turn it to suit you well. Well done. 👌👍

Nice video mate, always great to hear others opinions of these rigs 🤘

Thanks for the info on that diff lock guard. - will have to get one of those.

Good rundown - I've been in my new X terrain for 6 weeks and find the minor annoyances are the same as you've described. On the plus side I did text drive every dual cab on the market and the Dmax's driver assist features are very well implemented and smooth compared to others on the market. Having come out of a Hilux I find the Dmax way ahead - even from the latest model Hilux. Mines a work car and tows between 1300Kg and 2300Kg most days and does this well. The base model is very well equipped but I'm getting older and softer so wanted a few more creature comforts. 😊

Great review. Well done. So often we go for the higher specs but don’t really need them. I recently did a trip in my son’s 2011 Holden Colorado and enjoyed the simplicity of the car

Thanks for your honest update Daniel and happy that Bianca ‘got’ my electrical analogy - life is a love and hate journey and cars are no different - I hated the packing/unpacking process of camping with my many Subaru wagons with great off-road ability but annoying lack of storage space - hence the 2010 diesel Hilux which I chose to avoid new safety features and DPF issues with later models - I’m also a granny driver so need for engine mgt enhancements because the Hilux power is quite adequate even with the new canopy/accessories on board - there’s a risk to your engine reliability/drive train long term reliability to seek more power than it was designed for and it may affect your warranty claims if it comes to that - thank goodness you didn’t buy a Ford Ranger - conventional handbrake/analogue instruments and dials are a smart choice for ‘out there’ confidence to enjoy the DMAX.

That's all pretty reassuring, and I'm with you. I pick up my LSM model soonish with easy to clean vinyl floor and not all that leather and heated seats and other stuff that you don't need. 👍

Very good & honest review Thanks very much appreciate your time Cheers

8:20 The Auto Breaking feature can be turned off in the settings menu, in the 2022 and up models you can change it in the settings and it will save the settings so when you don’t have to do it every time you turn the vehicle on. I personally have had some similar issues with it so have changed it to Display Only setting so all the lights come on but doesn’t actually override the breaking. For the 2021 models that don’t save the settings, the dealership can actually install the 2022 software update that allows you to have your settings saved like the 2022 models.

I believe you can turn off the emergency braking and warning intervention in the settings on the dash, but it resets when you turn the car off. Works ok when your going off road you just have to turn it off and have no issues

A great idea putting your Love & Hate in the same video, I could learn a thing or two 😂 Great video mate, love to see you doing well!

More information from an owner driver than most 😮 so called motoring journalists 👍 these are the real world things us potential customers really want to know.

Great review … well done.

Sticks and stones may break my diff lock actuator, but words will never hurt me!

Jesus u would make an awesome car reviewer on those media shows mate. Good video.

Great overview mate, it has made my decision to purchase my x-Terrain last November all the better. 😊😊😊

We went from our PK with over 400,000 klm to the new DMax in 2021, and setup is almost identical . Have to agree with the disconnected driving experience comment. Great vehicle but lacks a certain "feel". One thing we just become aware of though is the Capped priced Service schedule from Isuzu does not include changing the Fuel filter, you have to request that it is changed and you'll be charged extra. Thanks for the honest review, will be picking up on of the actuator protectors before our next adventure.

Good review, you covered so much, well done. While Im a bit old school myself, I actually went for an auto in my 2012 Hilux this time for a number of reasons, I cant say I have done much 4wdriving with it really, but I think it is pretty good in the sand without any mods, so I am all onboard with auto trans now.

You did this very well thank you 🎉🎉❤

Thanks for the video mate

Great review.

A very fair list for both. The D-Max has certainly come a long way. A base model that still cost $50K+. But having said that, it has a lot of standard features for a base model. Though I remember when the D-Max was one of the best bargain buys around with discounted drive-away deals. But its popularity has stopped all that.

Thanks for the content. Cheers

Just picket up my SX last week. 500km later I agree with all you say, though power not an issue for me. 6 speed auto seems to have very little engine brake compared to older models. Very happy with mine.

had to drive one at work the other day to the airport, feels so weird coming from an older car (2001 pajero). Like you mentioned the steering feels so light and the safety features feel more so dangerous than safe. gotta say though the fuel usage was amazing probably half of what im used to

I was shocked by the spread of that bar! The reason I’d love a new set of lights is I’ve just started 4wheeling and have been budgeting for what I have so far. So it wouldn’t be a new set it would be my first set.

I own a 2023, manual, 3.0, space cab. Surprised it is not sold in Australia. Disconnected driving experience, lol!; I thought it was my imagination, but you are right: it is like driving in video games. Also, the input lag is real; I am not sure about that plastic accelerator pedal; I prefer the inmediate reaction of my 1.6 Chevy Tracker. But yeah, we are used to old cars. Very nice mods, BTW!

Great review. Like you we bought a 22 DMAX to travel australia full time. Loved the tip on the cover over the diff to protect the wiring. Where about did you get the metal plate to protect it?

Amazing video

I'm on my third LS-M Dmax, love 'em. Got my first in 2012, then a 2015 then a 2018. I've only had one warranty claim and that was on the A/C evaporator. Love my 2018 with an Old Man Emu GVM upgrade to 3220kg. I have done 105,000 kms with about 30,000 of those kms in 4wd offroad while prospecting. I tow a 2900kg Caravan with the family or a 1200 Wandering Star prospecting camper trailer by myself and they both tow great. While sitting on 95-100kph I get Around 14-15l/100kms towing the van and 11-12 l 100kph with the trailer. Still deciding whether to upgrade to a new mod el, time will tell.

I purchased the 2013 Dmax all those years back and I haven't looked back once. Although your interior looks better, it's interesting to see how similar they still are 10 years on.

Howdy, worth noting I spotted that MY23 MU-X comes with a lightweight diff lock actuator guard, would presume D-max now also. So there's an admission of 'not fit for purpose' aka more leverage for a warranty claim.

Great review Daniel, any chance of a brand name of your moulded floor mats please.

Got a bit worried at the thumbnail 😮, picking up my Dmax this week. 100% agree with your list, I've already got my Evc and diff guard plus found vids on how to disable the chimes for the door/ seat belt. Will have to line up with you and James this year and go for a 4wd and show me the mad tracks around Perth ect. Or you guys come up to Gero and I'll show you around 😂

I found the same thing test driving it. If I’m correct you have to turn the saftey features off every drive. My hiluxs lane assist pulses one side of the brake to keep between the lines but once it’s turned off it stays off. Didn’t like the d max at all

You can adjust auto braking sensitivity off-road. Pretty sure you can also turn it off

ha mate good honest run through 👍 question i’m in wa as well, what does the tray cost plus fitting please 👍

Great Vid, thanks. Can you please tell me what front recovery points you are running?

Good to know. Cheers buddy.

Regarding the forward facing cameras that become a hindrance off road or on country roads. I just tried covering them with masking tape. Seems to have done the job. Just getting an occasional warning to clean my windscreen. Obviously now none of the safety features they offer are working.

Thanks for sharing 👍

This is such a beautiful bakkie.

Quick question, did any of the mods you did null and void your warranty ???

3inch turbo back exhaust. Aftermarket intercooler plus a dyno tune. Will make a massive difference.

How did you buy new drive away then what did all your additionals cost all up so your back kit and bull bar all that list all the goods and the extra costs please so we all know what’s a price on it all. And how’s it go 4WD any lock in Diffs ?

I'm looking at getting a ute as my WRX doesn't really suit our families needs. I took a Dmax for a test drive and definately noted the disconnect in the drive. Going from a manual WRX, where you can feel everything and driving is an experience, to the Dmax was a bit if a shock.

you can turn the automatic braking off if you scrol accross to settings while stopped

Great vid and great vehicle. Are you going your own way? lol 😂

Ive got a 21 sx single cab i bought for work. It didn't let me down but never really liked it. Auto changes up too soon then takes too long to shift back down, in my opinion. Auto braking auto steer gave me the shits. It just feels 'lazy' when it comes to acceleration. Its not a bad car, I'm sure it will last a long time. Put one of my guys in it and bought myself a 2020 Hilux instead. Love it

You're back online!?😊😊😊

Personal question, what do you do for a living? IT?

Hey mate good vid, With your 2 inch lift did you install a diff drop kit ? If not what’s the angle on your cv’s like?

Hey mate, just curious on how your experience has been with the manual gearbox. I've had my 2022 manual LSM for 14 months now and have a long list of issues with the clutch and gearbox operation

The thing with isuzu having less power is a good thing.. its why the engines never die. Underpowered to me lasting longer is more impressive than a short boost in torque and powrer.

Id recommend taking an old diesel dual cab for a drive to truly appreciate how slow they were and how far these modern utes have come 😂.

Hi mate. Did you find having bigger tyres impacted the speedo? Or did you have the speedo calibrated when you upgraded the wheels?

Hey Daniel, nice looking rig! I have a few questions mate You mentioned that you’ve fitted 33’s.. I imagine you have properly checked the legalities, in QLD it’s 25mm hight increase from tyres over the largest tyre in the model line up For older LSU models that would have been something like a 265/70/17 which I had previously… how did you work out that 33’s are ok? Do they hit guards at any time? What size are they exactly? 285/70/17? How much does the 33’s kill your fuel economy? The 265/70/17’s upped fuel consumption by 20% in mine Have you checked anywhere in the manual for adjusting steering sensitivity? I have yet to own a car with electric assist steering, thought perhaps there might be something there Thanks Dan enjoy your rig!

A few things that people over looked. And i am talking from the old model but believe these things haven't changed. The cabs are really small. The foot well and driving pedals. There is way more room in a commodore. Here your heel hurts from going accelerator to brake as the pedal placement is cocked up compared to sedans and the length of the well is too short for long driving. I believe this new model has reach addjustment? Old ones you have to deal with that and a center console hurts your elbow.

What are your wheels and rims? they just look perfect. Keen on some or similar setup for my 2015 LSU

Have you installed a 3" exhaust ? That will make a big difference in take off lagging. It's taken mine away in my Isuzu

Good video! I’m a retired Canadian living in Belize. Just upgrading to a 2024 Ex-Terrain. What is the name & phone number of the vendor for the differential guard & a part number if you have it? Hard to find parts here in Central America! Thanks Ed

The AEB is a pain off road, braking for small branches. It would better if it could be turned off easily without going through multiple menu’s. A lot of the work I do is on station tracks. So every day multiple times go through the menu’s : - (

Make sure you come see the gurus at RMR Diesel in Malaga when you want more power. We can hook you up with a DPF intact Stage 1 setup my guy

Just engage the indicator as you drift over the white line. Indicating obviously temporarily disables the nudge back. Very easy. Overall a good feature for long highway driving. I don’t get why people always complain about it. So easy to get around and actually quite intuitive.

Where can the Diff Lock wiring/plug guard be purchased from ?

The ventilation vent behind the rear seat does allow alot of dust to enter which lands onto the rear seat belt housing. The mechanism where the belt extends back and forth ceases up so ya belt doesn't retract.... If U drive on dirt roads like I do, U will understand what I'm saying. I've had mine cleaned 2 times now ... Waste of time. I'm now gonna have my vent blocked with tape so I don't have further trouble...

I hate the gearbox and the shift patterns. Constant hunting for gears when going 100 on a slight incline or decline. 100 should be dialed in as its one of the main speeds we do!

Seems to me that every vehicle has its positives and owner compromises. I value your opinion on what suits you Daniel. I'm pretty happy with my rig and what I've added to it. If someone built a V8 powered, tricked up touring/offroad capable, comfortable, reliable and bulletproof, solo/family 4wd package with the economy of a Suzuki Swift, what would we talk about? 😀

I have a D-max 2023. That lane keeping won't override your inputs. Keep the green steering wheel turned off. As far as feedback through the steering wheel, thank god that doesn't happen. Driven old Landrovers and Cruisers w/o power steering, Hi Lux with power steering. All that feedback gets tiring after a while. I get enough sense from the suspension.

Does your dmax rattle for 2-4 seconds when started cold while oil pressure builds?

Is that a Piak bulbar?

Nice run down from a MY18 Isuzu SX spacecab chassis

Tyre size ?

what was the price of the tray and canopy set up

It's easy to swap a 6bt or a 4bt Cummins in the D'Max and output more hp with turbos.

Xbar for cab/ chassis would have been a better choice for departure angle.

I have a 2022 dmax. Love it. One thing I hate more than anything is the piss weak windscreen wiper sprays. They are shite. Built in to the wiper and hardly spray any water.

I have an auto, left foot on brake right \on throttle, no probs for a burnout from still.

What rim dimensions mate to run the 285/70r17

-1 Ecu tune will make it better -2 egr delete will make a huge difrence

lane assist is the first thing I turn off when I get in. Emergency braking goes off for no reason and scares the crap out of you.Traffic signs in the middle of the road or on a bend can cause the brakes to jam on. A car turning left in front of you will do it all the time even though you are never going to hit it. Radio has very poor reception and your constantly looking for a station. Cloth trim on the door near the arm rest gets dirty real quick. Ditto for console lid where fabric looks like crap very quick. Front wheel alignment needs constant scrutiny for scrubbing out tyres. Rubbish handbrake really needs to be pulled on hard otherwise doesnt do shit. Noisy engine compared to my old Mazda and it does get annoying. Brakes feel like they are never going to stop you and lack feel. That being said, I do like the car overall despite all the annoying little things

#XploringOz sent me here 👋 😅 Hi from the East Cost of Oz [Central Coast NSW]

Hi is this a Lsu or a Lsm ?

Just out of interest, what made you choose and manual?

Hey mate what canopy is it?? Is it wa local? 👍

1:35 “I had a white car” 😢😢😢😢 yes u did. we want the ranger back

Go and see Reaper Performance and get it remapped. You will not regret it.

I’ve got a 2023 bt50 exact same as the dmax and the power lag and driver assists drive me insane, still love the car though!

the input lag in the auto is ridiculous i have spoken to isuzu about adding throttle controller and was told that will void warranty!!!

Bonus issue. Having to press OK on the head unit. Every. Single. Time.

Adding 33 inch tyres is your issue lacking power and torque at wheels with changes in gearing.

I was stuck between buying a new dmax and navara. The Navara's driving comfortability sold me

Throttle controllers can cause adverse issues.

Nice review. Those driver aides are too much. All of this should be able to be turned off - the car should not be interfering unless I choose for that to happen. You are spot on, its not just the Isuzu, its all modern cars. Shits me!!!

7:00 turn signal

Voiding your warranty in so many ways. Isuzu will squirm out of claims once you modify, specially once you’ve thrown in the throttle controller

Reliability is greater on the dmax.

Diff lock on traction control gets turned off, class action for the front cracking under the bonnet, the actual reliability is no better than almost any other make apart from the much cheaper brands there have been quite o few issues with the model you have largely minor but some are not.